Cooky-cutting machine



Nov. 27, 1951 c. L. OTT

COOKY CUTTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1949 6 /w ma yf wk m 1. r @W Y. n g M Nov. 27, 1951 c. L. on 2,576,533

COOKY CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 V TOR.

62/7/447 Z, 452. BY

Nov. 27, 195] c QTT cooxy CUTTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1, 1949 Nov. 27, 1951 c. 1.. OTT

COOKY CUTTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1, 1949 'aaaqaas V IN VEN TOR. (2/7/144 Z, 02 3.

BY M,% Y m 777v;r/VK

Nov. 27, 195] c. L. OTT

cooxy CUTTING MACHINE 7 Sheet s 6 Filed A 1, 1949 llllilllllllllll l -:L E.

NTOR. 60/7/46 A 052.

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Nov. 27, 1951 c. OTT 2,576,533

COOKY CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I N V EN TOR. (av/-44 A 021 74 444, fi u Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OOOKY-GUTTING MACHINE Conrad L. Ott, Saginaw, Mich assignor to Baker New York Perkins Inc Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of Application August 1, 1949, Serial No. 107,892

nd. are ran ort f o he baking e en byv uitab e ey appa s e s r psare m a on y t een v r e ui lo ne. r tt r embodying the present, invention operates to c ut,

e am in s an a d. co me a n hs- Because of the sticky, adhesive nature of the eek l it m st ele d r m the. kn e after each cutting operation. Otherwise the. knife cannot be removed from the strips without tumbling and disarranging the several cookies. Further, if the filling is permitted to accumulate on the knife it drips onto the cookies or strips after the knife is withdrawn. When this occurs, some of the cookies stick together and they are almost invariably broken or otherwise damaged when pulled apart.

An important object of the present invention is to provide means for cleaning the knife automatically after each cutting operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knife-cleaning mechanism having novel means for disposing of jelly removed from the knife,

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a knife-cleaning apparatus of the aboveie ene h et wh ei he eoe sv fil n r moved from the knife is collected under clean, sanitary conditions which permit the filling to be re-used.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a knife-cleaning mechanism which maintains the knife sufficiently clean at all times so that the jelly-filled strips are cleanly severed to form the cookies and are left in orderly rows on the conveyor.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed; to designate like parts throughout the same;

Fig. l is a fragmentary, perspective view showing knife-cleaning mechanism embodying the present invention associated with a guillotine knife-cutting apparatus and illustrating the whole disposed inoperative association with the conveyor which transports the cocky strips fron 1 he bakin e en;

a. 2. s a er eelsest qiiai v ew ise -Qn ti e line 22 of Fig. 1 showing parts in section and partsbroken away for clearness of'illustratien; Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a transverse, vertical sectional; view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse, vertical sectionai view ek is i th i e Q g 2:. I

Fig. (i is a left-hand end elevational View or the stert ing m h ni m w v ew d he i in Fig. 2;

Fig is a a m n r n i ud l. sec iona view'taken on the line 1 -1 of Fig. 2

s- 's 1 h -tend. end. el etiqnal vi w Qt 'f rit e. meeii nism wh n v w d; es shewn 2 Fi is ireem t y. en t e i it eel c iona iew take n the e o a.

F is f ent r l iei ud na i ert e sectienai View taken on the line'lilelfl of is. a nl r ed ire men e v e sit st ve tie se t e el i en. he .1.

12 is an r ed. ire me terr QiieitJ d -Y Fig. 16 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectienal view taken on the line [5:16 of Fig, 14.;

Fig. 1 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I'll-ell of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a. fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sec-. ae i view taken on the line |s- |a r Fig. 17-; and

Fig. 19. is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sec-i. tional view taken on the. line l9 -l9 of Fig. 1'7.

Referring to. the drawings, Whereinforthe' pun-- pose of illustration is shown a preferred embodi-v ment of the invention, attention is first directed to, Figs. 1-,l2 which show one form of the invenon- 'In. h s f r f he n n on. he numera esi n e a even of nven on l nstrue tion in which the cookies are baked. In the form here shown the baking process is continuous and the cookiesv are discharged slowly from the ovenv at a uniform rate in the form of continuous strips I2, iis perhaps best shown in Fig. 1, the cookystrips l Z' are carried from the oven ill on an end ess ceii e r i4. mqun i o a suitab e. surgert;

ing structure I6. Usually a plurality of strips I2 are disposed side by side on the conveyer I 2. The number of cooky strips in any particular instance depends upon the capacity of the oven Ill and its adjuncts. It is common practice, however, to bake a dozen or more cooky strips I2 at one time. The equipment here shown is adapted to accommodate twelve of the strips I2 side by side on the conveyer I4.

In order to cut the strips I2 into individual cookies (fig bars, apricot bars and the like), a guillotine knife is suspended above and transversely across the conveyor I4 anda mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the knife in timed relation with the movement of the conveyer so that the cuts are spaced a uniform distance apart. This mechanism also includes means for moving the knife laterally with and at the same rate of speed as the conveyer I4 duringthe cutting operation so that a clean cut is made without disarranging the strips I2 or the severed cookies. As suggested, mechanism also is provided for continuously removing any of the cooky filling that adheres to the knife, and this mechanism operates in such manner that the filling: removed from the knife can be collected and re-used. This represents a substantial saving in the-amount of filling used and consequently in production cost. In the apparatus here described, the saving amounts to about a gallon of filling per hour.

The knife-actuating mechanism is carried by a-supporting frame comprising a horizontal base plate I8--having generally square, upright end plates 20 and 22 at opposite ends thereof. The baseplate I 8 extends transversely under the conveyer I4 and is bolted or otherwise fastened solidly on the framework of the supporting structure; I6. End plates 20 and 22 preferably are boltedto the base plate I8 and are disposed at opposite sides of the conveyer I4. A suspension shaft 24 bridges end plates 20 and 22 and is joumaled for rotary turning movement in bear ings 26 and 28 on the end plates. r

A power-drive mechanism is suspended from the'supporting framework described above-and comprises a rotatably driven shaft 30 journaled at or adjacent its ends in suitable bearings 32 and 34 on bearing plates 36 and 38 respectively which are suspended from and keyed to the shaft 24. The end of shaft 30 supported by bearing plate 38 extends through bearing 34 and the projecting portion thereof carries a driven gear 40 which meshes with adriving gear 42 on a stub shaft.

44 carried by the end-supporting plate 22 (Fig.8). Stub shaft 44 is rotatably mounted in an embossment 46 on the end plate 22 and is supported for rotationin the embossment by spaced bearings 48 and 50 (Fig. 9). Both bearings 48 and 50 are lubricated through suitable ducts 52 and 54. The driving gear. 42 is disposed at the inner side of end plate 22. .Theouter end of shaft 44 extends beyond the embossment 46 and carries a sprocket 56 which is connected to the driving sprocket of a motor or the lik (not shown) by a chain 58 (Fig. 1). In operation, the shaft 30 is continuously drivensat a predetermined speed which will operate the cutting knife in properly timed relation with the conveyer I4.

The knife-supporting mechanism is mounted on .the drive shaft 30 substantially midway between and spaced substantially from the bearing plates 36 and 38. This mechanism comprises a pair ,of spaced bearingsBIl and 62. On opposite sides of each bearing 60 and 62 and integrally 4 attached thereto are bosses 64 and 66 which slidably support vertical shafts 68 and 10 respectively. The four rods 68 and 10 are arranged in generally rectangular formation. The upper ends of the rods 68 and I are connected by a tie plate 12 and the lower ends thereof are connected by a bed plate M which carries the knife 16. Springs 18 confined between the bosses 64 and 66 and tie plate 12 hold the knife-carrying framework normally disposed substantially as shown in Fig. 2. The bearings 60 and 62 are loosely mounted on shaft 30 so that the entire knife-carrying framework is free to oscillate or turn about the shaft, and the rods 68 and are freely slidable in bosses 64 and 66 against the action of springs 18 so that the knife 16 can be raised or lowered at hollow-ground, or of thin steel depends fromand longitudinally bisects the bed plate 74, and it can be adjusted vertically within relatively small lim- 2 its by set screws 18. Knife 16 extends entirely across the conveyer I4 and is adapted to be moved up and down against the action of springs I8 to cut the cooky strips I2.

In order to move knife 16 vertically relative to the conveyer I4, I provide a pair of eccentric cams and 82 on the shaft 30 at the inner sides of and immediately adjacent bearings 60 and 62. The cams 80 and 82 are keyed for mutual rotation with drive shaft 30 and peripherally engage cam followers 84 and 86, respectively, which are on the bed plate I4. The cams 80 and 82 are identically positioned on the shaft 30 so that they act in unison, and they preferably hold the springs 18 under at least light tension when the portions of smallest radial dimension engage the fol, lowers 84 and 86. Thus as the long radius lobes of cams 80 and 82 move downwardly they progressively depress bed plate I4 against the action ofsprings I8 and lower the knife I6 to the conveyer I4 to sever the cooky strips I2. As the lobes of cams 80 and 82 move upwardly again, the preloaded springs 18 retract bed plate I4 and knife 16 is withdrawn from the cooky strips I2.

,In practice, the knife l6 should just touch the conveyer belt I4 when at the lower limits of its downward travel to assure complete severance of the cookies. In order to assure proper relationship between the conveyer belt I4 and the knife I6, a vertically adjustable roller 88 is provided under the conveyer belt and directly below the knife. Adjustment of this roller moves the conveyer belt I4 relative to the knife 16 and permits relative positioning thereof so that the knife will completely sever the cooky strips without cutting into the conveyer. 88 is carried by a shaft 90 which extends transversely of the conveyer belt I4 and is supported at its ends by conventional adjusting screw as semblies 92 and 94. It will be readily apparent that the rotor 88 can be adjusted vertically by the screw assemblies 92 and 94 to position the conveyer I2 properly relative to knife I6 and the adjusting screws in the assemblies are held in the selected adjusted position by lock nuts 96 and 98.

In order to move knife 16 laterally with and at the same rate of speed as the cooky strips I2 during the cutting operation, a pair of cutter-frame plates I00 and I02 are suspended from the shaft 24 between bearing plates 36 and 38 'andthe adjacent ends of the knife-supporting structure. Plates I00 andl02 are formed with bearings I04 and I66 which loosely receive the shaft 24 so To this end the rotorthat the plates depend from and are swingable on the shaft. Drive shaft 30 extends through horizontal elongated slots IOI in the plates I and I02 and the plates are freely swingable on shaft 24 within limits defined by the slots. Rollers I08 and II 0 carried by plates I00 and I02 are disposed at opposite sides of the knife 16 as shown in Fig. 4. The rollers press tightly against the knife so that lateral movement of the latter is controlled by swinging movement of the cutterframe plates I60 and I02.

In order to swing the cutter-frame plates I00 and I02 to move knife 16 with the conveyer I4, a

pair of eccentric cams II2 and II4 are mounted on the shaft 30 and keyed thereto for mutual rotation therewith. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 2, the eccentric cam II2 is disposed at the outer side of and immediately adjacent to the cutter frame plate I00, and the eccentric cam I I4 is disposed at the outer side of and adjacent to the cutter-frame plate I02. Eccentric straps H6 and II3 are mounted on cams II 2 and H4 respectively. The straps I I6 and H8 have radial arms which are fastened to respective cutter-frame plates I66 and I02 by pivots I20 and I22. The two cams II2 and H4 are identically positioned on the shaft 30 so that they move the two plates I00 and I02 in unison and the speed of rotation of shaft 30 is such that the knife 16 moves in the same direction as and in timed relation with the conveyer belt I4.

In addition to transmitting movement from the cutter-frame plates I00 and I02 to the knife 16, rollers I08 and IIO remove any filling which adheres to the knife as a result of the cutting operation. The successful performance of this function requires pressed engagement between the rollers I08 and III! and the knife 16 at all times. To this end, roller H0 is journaled in fixed bearings I24 carried by plates I00 and I02 (Fig. Roller I08, on the other hand, is journaled in swingable bearings I26 which are fastened to plates I00 and I02 by pivots I28. To assure contact of the cleaning rollers I08 and II 0 for the entire width of the tapered knife 16 during reciprocation of the latter, roller I08 is spring-pressed in the direction of the knife at all times. In this connection it will be observed that the two brackets I26 are connected by a longitudinal bar I30 and the cutter-frame plates I00 and I02 are similarly connected by a bar I32. As perhaps best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the two bars I30 and I32 are arranged one behind the other and in generally parallel relation. Recesses I34 are provided at spaced points along the inner side of bar I32, and springs I36 in the recesses bear against the confronting outer edge of bar I30. Pressure exerted by springs I36 against the bar I30 is controlled by adjusting screws I38.

In order to remove filling adhering to the knife 16, rollers I 08 and III] are rotated in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, so that the contacting surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across the knife. Roller III) is rotatably driven by a sprocket I40 on one end thereof and this sprocket is connected to a second sprocket I42 on drive shaft 30 by an endless chain I44. Roller I08 is rotatably driven in substantially the same manner, except that an idler gear I46 is interposed in the drive to reverse the rotation of the roller.' In this connection it will be observed that the idler gear I 46 is journaled on the end bearing plate 35 and meshes with a gear I48 on the drive shaft 30. Fixed to and rotatable with idler gear I46 is a socket I50 which is connected by an endless chain I54 to a sprocket I52 on the end of rotor I08. Thus rotation of drive shaft 30 simultaneously rotates rollers I68 and III) in opposite directions, and as the rollers rotate they wipe away any filling that adheres to the knife. In order to assure complete re moval of the filling, the knife 16 preferably is retracted until the edge thereof is substantially on a line connecting the centers of rollers I08 and I I0, and adjustment of the knife for this purpose can be had through the medium of adjusting screws 18. Endless chains I44 and I54 can be selectively tensioned by pivoted, conventional tighteners I56 (Fig. 3) and I58 (Fig. 5) respectively.

In order to remove and collect filling from rollers I08 and H0, a second bar I60 is fastened to and between end plates I and I02 behind roller H0, and scrapers I62 and I64 are fastened on the bars I30 and I60 with the scraping edges thereof bearing lightly against the outer or rearward sides of the rollers (Fig. 4). Scrapers I62 and I64 preferably are made of a nonmetallic, textile substance to prevent scoring of the rollers I08 and Ill). Also, scrapers I62 and I64 preferably are adjustable relative to the rollers I68 and III! and are held in selected adjusted positions by back-up screws I66. It will be readily apparent that filling removed from the knife 16 by rollers I08 and H0 will be carried upwardly and rearwardly on the surfaces of the rollers and removed therefrom by the scrapers I62 and I64. Filling recovered by the scrapers I62 and I64 is collected in elongated pans I68 and I10 which extend into the device through suitable openings in the end plate 20. The pans I68 and I10 may be supported at suitable points along the length thereof in any convenient manner and the outer ends thereof preferably are provided with handles I12 for convenience in handling.

To prevent the jelly from baking on knife 16 and cleaning rollers I08 and IIS due to heat developed as a result of friction created in operation, the rollers are lubricated by water or a suitable edible oil. To this end a storage tank H4 is positioned above the rollers I68 and I I 0. The tank I 14 here shown is rectangular in transverse section and the ends thereof are fastened to the supports 20 and 22. Lubricant is discharged from the tank I14 through a pipe I16 controlled by valve I18 into a manifold I86 where it is distributed to a plurality of drip pipes I82 which are individually controlled by valves I83. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 2, the manifold I 80 extends the full length of rollers I08 and I I0, and the drip pipes I82 are arranged in spaced relation along the manifold so as to lubricate the full length of the rollers.

When the parts are disposed above and in operative association with the conveyer I2 in the manner hereinabove described, the knife 16 and related parts which become covered with the filling are relatively inaccessible and thus difficult to clean. Accordingly, I have provided means for swinging the entire mechanism so that it extends horizontally from the shaft 24. When thus positioned, the parts are readily accessible for cleaning. Also, in the raised position the cutting mechanism is remote from the conveyer I2. Positioning of the cutting mechanism in this manner is desirable whenever the equipment is'used inodified mounting for rollers I08 and H0.

to bake goods which do not require cuttingby the guillotine knife. When in the raised position, the cutting mechanism preferably is disconnected from the driving source for obvious reasons.

In connection with the foregoing, it will be observed that a gear quadrant I84 is mounted on and keyed to the end of the shaft 24 whichprojects beyond end plate 20. This quadrant I84 meshes with a worm I86 on a horizontal shaft I88 carried by suitable supporting brackets I90 on the end plate 20. Shaft I88 extends transversely of the support 20 and a hand wheel I92 is fastened on one end thereof. Manual rotation of hand wheel I92 moves quadrant I86 and shaft I24 ninety degrees to swing the apparatus between raised andlowered positions. In this connection it will be recalled that bearing shafts 36 and 38 are keyed to shaft 24 so that they rotate with the shaft. Since all of the operating parts of the cutting mechanism are either carried by or movable with the plates 36 and 38, rotation of the shaft 24 in the manner described moves all of the cutting mechanism. As the mechanism swings from the lowered to raised position, driven gear 54 automatically disengages driving gear 42 to disconnect the cutter mechanism from the power source.

In order to lock the cutting mechanism in its lowered operative position, a rod I94 is slidably mounted in suitable openings provided in end plates 20 and 22. The rod I94 preferably is located a substantial distance at one side of the cutter mounting and actuating mechanisms so as not to interfere with the same and in such relation to this mechanism that the latter swings away from therod when rotated to the raised position. A radial arm I96 is fastened to the rod I94 at the outer side of end plate 20, and a second radial arm I98 is fastened to the rod intermediate plates 38 and I02. Pins 200 and 202 carried by arms I96 and I98 respectively fasten the plates 36 and 38 to the main supporting frame when the cutting mechanism is operatively disposed. In this connection it will be observed that the pin 200 extends through an embossment 204 on end p1ate 20 and into an opening 206 in plate 36. Pin 202, on the other hand, extends through an opening 208 in arm 36 and a projecting portion thereof is received in an embossment 2I0 on end plate 22. A handle M2 on the end of rod I94 facilitates manual manipulation of the same to move pins 200 and 202 into and out of engagement with plates 36 and 38. In the drawings the pins 200 and 202 are shown engaged with plates 36 and 38, but it will be readily apparent that if the handle 2 I2 is pulled in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, the pins can be retracted to disengage the same. Rod I94 is held in either advanced or retracted position by a spring-pressed ball detent 2I4 (Fig. 12) which enters one or the other of peripheral grooves 2I6 and 2I8 in the rod.

Reference is now had to Fig. 13 which shows a In this form of the invention both rollers I08 and H9 are carried by pivoted brackets which are fastened to plates I and I02 and both spacer bars I32 and I60 carry springs which urge the rollers against knife 16. In the form of the invention here shown, roller I08 is carried by pivoted brackets I26 which are identical in construction to those hereinabove described. Roller IIO, on the other hand, is carried by pivoted brackets 22am plates I00 and I02. Springs 222 in recesses 224 provided in the inner edge of spacer bar I60 bear against the brackets 220 to hold the roller H0 in pressed engagement with the knife 16, and the springs are selectively tensioned by adjusting screws 226 to regulate the pressure exerted by the roller against the knife.

Reference is now had to Figs. 14-19 which show a modified structure for supporting and actuating the cutting knife. In this form of the invention, the entire mechanism is carried by a main supporting frame having upright stationary members 230 and 232 at opposite sides of the conveyer belt 234 and a top panel 236 for supporting the conveyer belt immediately below the cutting knife. Below the conveyer belt 234 and rotatably supported by upright members 230 and 232 is a horizontal drive shaft 238 which may be rotatably driven in any suitable or conventional manner (not shown).

The cutting head comprises a generally rectangular, horizontal frame 240 which is disposed below the conveyer and is supported at each of the four corners thereof by vertical, pivoted links 242. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 17, the corners of frame 240 are provided with sockets 244 which receive the upper end 246 of links 242. Horizontal pivots 248 fasten the ends ,246 to the frame 240. At the lower ends thereof links 242 are fastened to the upright frame members 230 and 232 by horizontal pivots 250 (Fig. 14) Inasmuch as the four links 242 are of the same length, they collectively define parallel linkages which permit the frame240 to rock back and forth under the conveyer 234 and to move in the same direction as the conveyer. At opposite sides of the frame 240 are upright side frame members 252 and 254 which embrace and extend substantially above the conveyer 234. These side frame members 252 and 254 carry the main supporting frame which includes a crosshead 256 having guides 253 at opposite ends thereof which fit in ways 260 in frame members (Fig. 16). Fastened to and depending from the crosshead 256 is a frame 262 which carries the knife 264. As clearly shown in the drawings, the cutting edge of the knife 264 is arranged precisely parallel to the conveyer 234, and suitable provision is made for moving the same with respect to the conveyer as in the form of the invention first described. The crosshead assembly which carries the cutting knife 264 is supported at oppositeends thereof by springs 266 disposed under the guides 258 and between the. arms of end framedmembers 252 and 254.

Vertical reciprocation of the knife 264 rela tive to conveyer belt 234 is accomplished by eccentrics 268 which are mounted on and fixed to the power shaft 238 at the outer sides of supporting frame members 230 and 232. The eccentrics 268 carry eccentric straps 210, and the latter are connected to arms 212 which extend outwardly from the ends of crosshead 256 by connecting rod 214. In order to accommodate the oscillatory motion of connecting rods 214 due to rotation of eccentrics 268, the rods are fastened to arms 212 by pivots 216. As a result of the above construction and arrangement of parts the knife 264 is reciprocated once for each rotation of the power shaft 238.

Lateral movement of the knife 264 is effected by a mechanism which rocks the parallel linkages 242 back and forth in timed relation with vertical movement of the knife 264. More specifically, a pair of vertical links 218 are mounted at opposite sides of the conveyer 234 for oscillatory movement about horizontal pivots 280 on the supporting framework of the apparatus; The upper ends of links 218 are connected to pivots 240 by connecting rods 282.,and the lower ends of the links are connected to eccentric straps 210 by connecting rods 284. Thus, rotation of eccentrics 268 acts through eccentric strap 210 and connecting rods 284 to oscillate links 218 about pivots 280', and the latter in turn act through connecting rods 282 to rock the supporting frame 240- and its adjuncts back and forth parallel to the direction of travel of conveyer 234'. The vertical and horizontal movements of knife 264' are correlated sothat the knife moves with and at the same rate of speed as the conveyer during the cutting operation. In this manner the individual cookies are severed without disarranging the same on the conveyer.

The distance knife 264 is moved horizontally during each cutting operation and thus: the length of the cookies severed thereby is controlled by an adjustable connection between the links 218 and connecting rod 282-. In the form of the invention here shown, this connection is in the form of nuts 285 mounted on vertical screws 288. Nuts 28% carry the pivots which fasten the adjacent ends of connecting rods 282, and screws 288 are rotatable but axially fixed. Stub shafts 290 carried by links 218 are manually rotated by handwheels 292 and are connected to screws 280 by bevel gears 294 and 296 (Fig. 1 It will be' readily apparent that rotation of handwheels 292 raises and lowers nuts 286 and that adjustment of the nuts in this manner will alter the distance knife 26-4 is moved horizontally during each cutting operation.

In this form of the invention the cleaning rollers 298- and 300 are disposed at'opposite sides of the knife 264, and the ends of the rollers are carried by supporting brackets 302 which are fastened to the end frame members 252 and 254 by suitable pivots 304.- Thus, each roller is carried by parallel supporting brackets 302; and two brackets in each pair are pivoted to'opposit'e end frame members 252 and 254. Roller 298 carries a sprocket 306 which is connectedto a driving sprocket 308 on the power shaft 238by an endless belt 310. This arrangement drives roller'298 in the directionof the arrow inFi'g 18 so that" the roller wipes upwardly acrosskni fe 264to remove any of the filling which adheres' thereto as aresult of the cutting operation. The other roller 300 is rotated'in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1-8 sothat it also wipes upwardlyacross knife 264 to remove filling or other substances adhering thereto." Thus,- the roller 300 is driven a reverse-directionto roller 290. To-this end roller 300 carries a gear 3l2which mesheswitha gear 314 on a stub'shaft 3I6 carried by a downward extension 318 on the adjacent mounting bracket 302'. Associated with the gear 3l4' is a driven sprocket 320' which connected to" a' driving sprocket 322-on the-power shaft 238'by an endless chain 324.

As the distance between driven sprockets 306 and320 and drive sprockets 308' and 322vari'e's during" reciprocation of the knife 2'64; it'i's nece's sary'to provide mechanism for maintaining the driving chains 3l0 and 324" tauta't all times. To this end, each of' the chains 310 and 324' is provided with a suitable chain-tightening device. One type of chain-tightening device that-has been found to be satisfactory is shown in-Fig. l8.

The particular chain-tightening device here shown comprises a generally I V-shaped mounting bar 330 which is attached at theend 332 thereof to the main supporting frame of the apparatus.

Mountedon the opposite end 334 of the bar 330 is an upright pivoted arm 336 which carries a r611 5 er 338 positioned for peripheral efig'ag eiitwith a run with theendless chain with which it is associated. Behind the pivoted arm 33%;: an standing rigid arm 3'40, and a spring 342 c nnected at one end to the arm 340 and at other end thereof to the arm 335 above the pivot when connects the same t6 the mounting bar 330'. Spring 3142 constantly urges the roller 3'38'agaiiist the endless chain with which it is associated to hold the chain taut at all times. f v inning or other substances removed from the knife 264 by rollers 29s and sun turn re moved from the rollers by scrapers 34d" and 346. These scrapers extend the full length of the rollers and, as shown Fig. 18. the scrapers are supported by mounting bars 348 and 350 re tively fastened at the ends thereof w respective pairs of mounting brackets 3'02. Fillingrenioved fromrollers290 and 300 by scrapers 3 4 is collected in pans 352 which are position d' supported generally in the manner described in connection with the first form of the inve In order to hold the rollers" 2'55 and 300 in pressed engagement with the knife 2'64 stationary, elongated supports 354 and 356 are'provided behind the mounting bars are and 3501; ntspaeu points along" the lengths of supports" 354 and 35 6 are openings 358 which receive springs 360. As shown in the drawings, the springs 360 p 1 from the openings in which they areind" tell, and the projecting portions thereof sat against the scraper su porting bar's 3'40 and 3'50, Back; up screws 362 in openings 358' behind springs 3'60 permit the springs to be seleeti'vny' tensioned' to regulate the pressure exerted by the scrap is against the'roll'ers 2'98 and 300' and by the rollers against the knife 254.

In operation. the apparatus last described is substantially identical to the form of the invention first described and it accomplishes substan many th'e'sa'me purposes in essentially" the same way.

It will thus be seen that I have achieved'the objects of myinvention'. I have provideda cockycuttingapparatusthat operates efficiently to cut elongated jelly-filled strips into individual cookies and tliat is adjustable to regulate the siieof the cookies. The cutting knife is uniquelyrnounted and actuated to move with the cooky strips during. the cutting operation so as to make. a clean, neat severance. In addition, I have provided means which travel with the knife for keeping the latter clean and free at all times from the sticky, adhesive'cooky filling. The filling removed from the knife isrecovered automatically in con- 60 dition for re-use. This filling is relativelyexpensive 'and'the filling collected from the knife represents a substantial-saving in the-fillingand in the ultimate cost of the cookies.

Having thusdescribed the invention; I claim:

1. In a cocky-cutting machineof the type having avertically reciprocable andlaterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers mounted to move laterally with" and on opposite sides of said' knife, means for moving atleast 7 one of the rollers laterally relative to the knife,

' means holding: said rollers in pressed engagement with the'knife; and means for rotatably' driving a, vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers disposed on opposite sides of said knife, pivoted mountings holding said rollers vertically sationary so that the knife reciprocates relative thereto but permitting said rollers to move laterally with the knife, means acting against at least one of said mountings for holding the rollers in pressed engagement with the knife, a drive shaft, and means interconnecting said drive shaft and said rollers for rotatably driving said rollers so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across the knife; r

3. In a cocky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising a pair of cleaning rollers disposed on opposite sides of said knife, mountings carrying said rollers, the mountings for at least one of the rollers being shiftable to permit said roller to move laterally relative to the knife, and resilient means co-operable with said shiftable mountings to hold the roller associated with such mountings pressed against said knife, a drive shaft, driving sprockets on said drive shaft, driven sprockets on said rollers, and endless chains interconnecting said drive and driven sprockets for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across said knife.

4. In a cocky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, a support mounted for independent horizontal movement relative to said knife, cleaning rollers carried by said support and disposed on opposite sides of said knife, spring means holding said rollers pressed against said knife, a rotary drive, and means interconnecting said drive and said rollers for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across said knife.

5. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers on opposite sides of said knife, at least one of said rollers being independently laterally. movable relative to said knife, spring means holding said rollers normally in pressed engagement with the knife, a rotary drive, and means interconnecting said drive and said rollers for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across said knife.

6. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers on opposite sides of said knife, at least one of said rollers being independently laterally movable relative to said knife,- spring means holding said rollers normally in pressed engagement with the knife, and a drive for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite direc tions'so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across said knife to maintain the same free of substances adhering thereto in use.

'7. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers on opposite sides of said knife, at least one of said rollers being independently 'laterally movable relative to said knife, spring means holding said rollers normally in pressed 12 thereof wipe upwardly across said knife to maintain the same free of substances adhering thereto in use, and scrapers associated with said rollers for removing substances removed thereby from said knife.

8. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a vertically reciprocable and laterally movable knife, the improvement comprising cleaning rollers on opposite sides of said knife, at least one of said rollers being independently laterally movable relative to said knife, spring means holding said rollers normally in pressed engagement with the knife, means for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across said knife to maintain the same free of substances adhering thereto in use, scrapers associated with said rollers for removing substances removed thereby from said knife, and pans under said scrapers for collecting substances removed from the rollers by said scrapers.

9. In a cocky-cutting machine of the type having a knife, mounting means supporting said knife forindependent vertical reciprocation and lateral swinging movement, drive means for vertically reciprocating said knife, the improvement comprising means serving a double function of swinging said knife laterally in timed relation with said vertical reciprocation and of removing substances adhering to said knife in use, said last-mentioned means comprising a pair of rollers on opposite sides of said knife, means holding said rollers in pressed engagement with the knife, means for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across the knife, and means for swinging said rollers through a predetermined arcuate path in timed relation with'the reciprocations of said knife.

10. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a knife, mounting means supporting said knife for independent vertical reciprocation and lateral swinging movement, drive means for vertically reciprocating said knife, the improvement comprising means serving the double function of swinging said knife laterally in timed relation with said vertical reciprocations and of removing substances adhering to said knife in use, said last-mentioned means comprising a pair of rollers on opposite sides of said knife, means holding said rollers in pressed engagement with the knife, means for rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces thereof wipe upwardly across the knife, and means for imparting back-and-forth movement to said rollers and through said rollers to said knife so that the latter is moved laterally in timed relation with said independent vertical reciprocations.

11. In a cocky-cutting machine of the type having a knife, mounting means supporting said knife for vertical reciprocation and horizontal, back-and-forth movement, the improvement comprising a pair of rollers on, opposite sides of said knife, means supporting said rollers for back-and-forth movement, meansrholding said rollers pressed against said knife so that backand-forth movement of the rollers istransmitted to the knife, drive means for vertically reciprocating the knife independently of said rollers, separate drive means for moving said rollers and said knife back'and forth in, timed relation with said vertical reciprocation, and means for simultaneously and continuously rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the awassa i3 engaged surfaces of the latter wipe upwardly across the knife.

12. In a cooky-cutting machine of the type having a knife, mounting means supporting said knife for vertical reciprocation and horizontal, back-and-forth movement, the improvement comprising a pair of rollers on opposite sides of said knife, means supporting said rollers for back-andforth movement, means holding said rollers pressed against said knife so that back-and-forth movement of the rollers is transmitted to the knife, drive means for vertically reciprocating the knife independently of said rollers, separate drive 7 means for moving said rollers and said knife back and forth in timed relation with said vertical reciprocations, means for simultaneously and continuously rotatably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces of the latter wipe upwardly across the knife to remove substances adhering thereto as the result of cutting operations, and scrapers disposed behind said rollers and having edgewise engagement therewith to remove substances wiped from the knife by said rollers.

13. In a cooky-cutting machine, of the type having a knife, mounting means supporting said knife for vertical reciprocation and horizontal back-and-forth movement, the improvement comprising a pair of rollers on opposite sides of said knife, resilient means supporting said rollers 14 for back-and-forth movement, means holding said rollers pressed against said knife so that backand-forth movement of the rollers is transmitted to the knife, drive means for vertically reciproeating the knife independently of said rollers, separate drive means for moving said rollers and said knife back and forth in timed relation with said vertical reciprocations, means for simultaneously and continuously rotaiably driving said rollers in opposite directions so that the engaged surfaces of the latter Wipe upwardly across the knife to remove the substances adhering thereto in use, scrapers disposed behind said rollers and having edgewise engagement therewith to remove substances wiped from the knife by said rollers, and removable pans disposed below said scrapers for collecting substances removed from the rollers by said scrapers.

CONRAD L. O'IT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,747,954 Rydberg Feb. 18, 1930 1,831,826 Sergent Nov. 17, 1931 2,112,443 Martoccio Mar. 29, 1938 

